In the task "Carbon 14 Dating'' the amount of Carbon 14 in a preserved plant is studied as time passes after the plant has died. In practice, however, scientists wish to determine when the plant died and, as this task shows, this is not possible with a simple measurement of the amount of Carbon 14 remaining in the preserved plant. The equation for the amount of Carbon 14 remaining in the preserved plant is in many ways simpler here, using 12 as a base.
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In this activity, learners play NOAA's Carbon Tracker game and discover ways ...
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In this activity, learners play NOAA's Carbon Tracker game and discover ways to keep track of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the world. This game will help learners better understand how the uptake and release of greenhouse gases affect oceans, the atmosphere, ecosystems, the land, plants, and animals on Earth. This game can be played by groups of learners or an individual learner. The resource contains a CarbonTracker Poster that identifies key words and important information related to greenhouse gases and climate change.
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In this activity, learners take on the role of a carbon atom and record which reservoirs in the carbon cycle they visit. Learners will compare and contrast their trip with those of other learners to discover information about sources and sinks, and residence times of the different reservoirs. Ocean processes are highlighted to allow the educator to define the biological pump and explain its importance to climate. Helping learners understand the carbon cycle is essential to their understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change.
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In this game, learners walk through an imaginary Carbon Cycle and explore ...
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In this game, learners walk through an imaginary Carbon Cycle and explore the ways in which carbon is stored in reservoirs and the processes that transport the carbon atom from one location to another. This resource includes background information about carbon, the carbon cycle, and climate change.
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In this activity, learners role play as atoms to explore how atoms ...
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In this activity, learners role play as atoms to explore how atoms can be rearranged to make different materials. Learners group together and link arms or hold hands to form chemical bonds and act out the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Use this activity to introduce the carbon cycle and follow this activity with two associated activities from the same resource.
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In this activity (on page 1), learners role play as atoms to explore how atoms can be rearranged to make different materials. Learners group together and link arms or hold hands to form chemical bonds and act out the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Use this activity to introduce the carbon cycle and follow this activity with two associated activities from the same resource.
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In this activity (on page 7), learners explore the meaning of a ...
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In this activity (on page 7), learners explore the meaning of a "carbon sink." Using simple props, learners and/or an educator demonstrate how plants act as carbon sinks and how greenhouse gases cause global warming. This activity is the second in a series of three activities that introduce learners to the carbon cycle (see related sources), although it is not mandatory that all three activities are completed as a set.
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In this activity, learners explore the human influences on the carbon cycle ...
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In this activity, learners explore the human influences on the carbon cycle and examine how fossil fuels release carbon. Learners role play as miners, power plant operators, car drivers, and home owners in a city. Learners will act out how each member of society contributes to the carbon cycle and then create a classroom mural depicting the path of carbon. Learners can reflect on this process as well as brainstorm ways to lower their carbon footprints. This activity is the third in a series of three activities that introduce learners to the carbon cycle (see related sources), although it is not mandatory that all three activities are completed as a set.
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In this problem set, learners will refer to a satellite image to ...
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In this problem set, learners will refer to a satellite image to calculate the rate of carbon sequestration in the areas of bare land and forested lawn shown to answer a series of questions. Answer key is provided. This is part of Earth Math: A Brief Mathematical Guide to Earth Science and Climate Change.
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In this experiment, students will observe a natural process that removes carbon ...
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In this experiment, students will observe a natural process that removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from Earth's atmosphere. This process is a part of the carbon cycle and results in temperature suitable for life. Students will learn that the carbon cycle is a fundamental Earth process. Throughout Earth's history, the balance of carbon has kept the atmosphere's carbon dioxide (CO2) and Earth's temperature within relatively narrow ranges.
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In this lab activity, students use a chemical indicator (bromothymol blue) to ...
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In this lab activity, students use a chemical indicator (bromothymol blue) to detect the presence of carbon dioxide in animal and plant respiration and in the burning of fossil fuels and its absence in the products of plant photosynthesis. After completing the five parts of this activity, students compare the colors of the chemical indicator in each part and interpret the results in terms of the qualitative importance of carbon sinks and sources.
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In this lab activity, students use a chemical indicator (bromothymol blue) to ...
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In this lab activity, students use a chemical indicator (bromothymol blue) to detect the presence of carbon dioxide in animal and plant respiration and in the burning of fossil fuels and its absence in the products of plant photosynthesis. After completing the five parts of this activity, students compare the colors of the chemical indicator in each part and interpret the results in terms of the qualitative importance of carbon sinks and sources.
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This exercise introduces students to concepts of photosynthesis at the whole organism ...
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This exercise introduces students to concepts of photosynthesis at the whole organism level and to computer utilization in biology. Changes in carbon dioxide concentration are measured in environmental chambers using gas analyzers connected to computers. Carbon dioxide changes are graphed in real time as the plants take up CO2. Over a short time, sunflower seedlings show dramatic changes in CO2 uptake when light intensity is altered or color filters are used. Comparison of the resulting graphs will indicate treatment differences in the rate of carbon dioxide change. Modifying the basic experimental design allows this exercise to be used in a variety of courses.
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In this inquiry-based lesson, learners measure the biomass of trees, calculate the ...
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In this inquiry-based lesson, learners measure the biomass of trees, calculate the carbon stored by the trees, and use this information to create recommendations about using trees for carbon sequestration. This activity encourages learners to think critically about managing forests for carbon sequestration.
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In this activity, students use a spreadsheet to calculate the net carbon ...
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In this activity, students use a spreadsheet to calculate the net carbon sequestration in a set of trees; they will utilize an allometric approach based upon parameters measured on the individual trees. They determine the species of trees in the set, measure trunk diameter at a particular height, and use the spreadsheet to calculate carbon content of the tree using forestry research data.
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Career Gates: Manufacturing is discussed by various employees of Rexroth, Just Born ...
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Career Gates: Manufacturing is discussed by various employees of Rexroth, Just Born Candy, Coca-Cola and Martin Guitars. Steve Morrow, General Manager of the Coca-Cola plant begins the tour, followed by Ross Born from Just Born Candy. Products highlighted are Just Born Peeps, Martin Guitars and Coca-Cola sodas. Technologies highlighted are robotics and the use of AutoCad. The last section highlights what these employers look for when evaluating employees that will be hired. ***Access to Teacher's Domain content now requires free login to PBS Learning Media.
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This image gallery provides photos of carnivorous plants shown in their natural ...
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This image gallery provides photos of carnivorous plants shown in their natural habitats. The photos are arranged by genus and by geographic region. Each image is accompanied by a brief caption including genus, species, and location. There is also a specialized gallery featuring carnivorous plants of Europe, a discussion on how to cultivate these plants in vitro, and a brief bibliography of publications on carnivorous plants by the site's creator, Dr. Joachim Nerz.
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This textbook chapter presents a real case study involving the the logging ...
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This textbook chapter presents a real case study involving the the logging of an old stand forest from three perspectives, that of the environmentalists, the wood products industry, and a politician. An associated writing activity engages students in reviewing the different viewpoints, and writing a "letter to the editor" for or against the logging of old growth forest. This is chapter 3 in the unit, A New World View, which introduces global systems science, emphasizing the concepts of environmental diversity, Earth as a system, and sustainability. The resource includes a textbook chapter, integrated hands-on and inquiry activities, links to current news articles, and a suite of pre- and post-unit assessments. A teacher's guide supports classroom use. The resource is part of Global Systems Science (GSS), an interdisciplinary course for high school students that emphasizes how scientists from a wide variety of fields work together to understand significant problems of global impact.
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